Analysis of improvement of physical and hidrophysical quality of Arabica Coffee soils: Application of agricultural gypsum, organic compost and brachiaria cultivation between rows.

• Grant number: 24/00271-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2024
• End date: March 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Soil Science
• Principal Investigator: Renata Cristina Bovi
• Grantee: Ana Luiza Almeida Domingues
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas (FCA). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The soil plays a crucial role in agricultural production, being essential for the sustainability of global food productivity in the face of population growth. Despite the observed high productivities in the Brazilian context, the chemical, physical, and biological quality of the soil faces significant challenges, mainly due to inadequate management practices. Soil Quality (SQ), crucial for plant growth and agroecosystem balance, is assessed through physical, chemical, and biological indicators. However, several studies are needed to define indicators for soil physical quality, especially considering the diverse Brazilian biomes. The increase in Soil Organic Matter stands out as a crucial point to improve soil structure and promote enhanced SQ. This project aims to assess physical-hydraulic indicators and correlate them with SQ in coffee plantations, essential for productive sustainability. In this context, the impact of agricultural gypsum application, organic fertilization, and the presence of perennial grasses on the medium-term evolution (3 years) of soil physical-hydric attributes will be evaluated. Therefore, this project seeks to understand how specific management practices impact SQ, aiming to enhance the sustainability of the coffee production system in the country. Aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, the project contributes to goals such as Zero Hunger, Sustainable Agriculture, Responsible Consumption and Production, Action Against Global Climate Change, and Terrestrial Life.